Sermons on Tensions:

Comfort And Courage Sermon I: The Miracle Of God's Presence Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 17, 2020

In times of distress, the need we all have for "God's comfort and our courage can be met by meditating upon and ingesting into our lives spiritual manna from David's Shepherd Psalm.

Comforted by the Miracle of God’s Presence The need we all have for being comforted is expressed by one of my poetic prayers for God’s guidance in times of trouble: “Let this be our prayer when we lose our way, or shadows fill our day: Oh ...read more

The Conversion Of The Apostle Paul, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Imagine had the early 1940s newspapers read, “Hitler converts to Judaism” & you get a sense of how powerful Paul’s life change happened.

Happy Mother’s Day to Cross Church family & to You. To those who gave birth this year to their 1st child, we celebrate with you. To those who lost a child this year, we mourn with you. To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day & wear the badge of food stains, we appreciate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Advance Through Arrest Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Jesus indicates that one of the key ways of getting the Gospel spread would be through the courts. The persecution would lead to opportunities to defend the Gospel before high officials and leaders in high places.

There is a difference between sin and error. It I say 2+2=5 I am in error, but I am not sinning. That is, if my motive is to come to a right answer I am not sinning. If my human fallibility leads me to a wrong answer it is not sin. If I say 2+2=5 in order to confuse a young person so that they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Waiting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 12, 2019

We are waiting with, in and through Material adapted from John Mark Hick's book called: Yet Will I Trust Him: Understanding God in a Suffering World

HoHum: There is a woman who is buried under a 175 year old oak tree in a cemetery of a church in rural Louisiana. According to this woman’s instructions, only one word is carved on the tombstone, “Waiting.” John Mark Hicks is a Church of Christ guy and he has been through loss- his first wife died ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39, Psalm 44:9-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stressed Out By Stress

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 27, 2020

One of the greatest truths of Christianity is God's promise to always be with the Born-Again Christian in every situation and circumstance of life. This is one truth that is known, yet somehow is hard to truly believe!

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2 NIV) A Harris Poll taken for the American Psychiatric Association (Stress in America Survey 1/2012) discovered that 81% of women say ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:43-45, Lamentations 3:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Character Study Of Rachel Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 21, 2025

Rachel’s life was filled with love, struggle, and faith. Though she was Jacob’s beloved wife, she faced many difficulties, including barrenness and competition with her sister. Her story reminds us to trust in God’s timing, avoid jealousy, and remain faithful in the midst of challenges.

CHARACTER STUDY OF RACHEL – FAVOURITE WIFE OF JACOB, MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND BENJAMIN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 29:18-20 "And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:18-20, Genesis 30:1-2, Genesis 31:32-35, Genesis 35:16-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Myths About Marriage

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Dec 12, 2002

A Message to Single Adults. Nearly ten years of my ministry was spent ministering to the needs and hurts of Singles. This message came out of that ministry.

Myths About Marriage Psalm 127:1 Introduction What is a myth? - "A myth is viewed as an idea or ideal, based on a half truth, which presents a distorted picture of reality." Single adults when faced with rejection, loneliness, or sexual tensions, often find it easy to romanticize or fanaticize ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Three-Fold Antidote For Fear

Contributed by Kenneth Cox on Jun 11, 2007

The Bible has some definite guidelines to help us overcome fear.

A Three-fold Antidote for Fear Having the potential to be as crippling as any disease, fear strikes the minds of many people daily. Sweaty palms, nervous stomachs, and tension headaches all attest to the prevalence of fear. People are just plain scared; there fears range from fear of high ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:4

Denomination: Baptist

Your Cross!

Contributed by David Radcliff on Nov 30, 2017

The meaning of the cross is often misunderstood. The physical cross is an emblem of suffering and shame. It is a symbol of disgrace. It was the worst possible way to die. It caused the most pain and suffering of any torture devised by man.

YOUR CROSS! Mark 8:34 The meaning of the cross is often misunderstood. The physical cross is an emblem of suffering and shame. It is a symbol of disgrace. It was the worst possible way to die. It caused the most pain and suffering of any torture devised by man. I. WHOSOEVER WILL John 3:16 A. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Never Let Your Guard Down

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 11, 2014

We got to be vigilant and never be complacent! You never know what and how the enemy would plan to spoil the joy, happiness and peace!

Never let your guard down! 1 Corinthians 16:13”Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” We got to be vigilant and never be complacent! You never know what and how the enemy would plan to spoil the joy, happiness and peace! Did you know even small things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

02 Near To The Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Sep 30, 2014

How do we deal with stress? Stress! - Impedes our joy - Invades our peace - Intensifies our difficulties

1 Sa 30 Dr. Cleland Boyd McAfee (1899-1944) was serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Dr. McAfee was stunned to hear the shocking news that his two beloved nieces had just died within 24 hours of each other from diphtheria. Turning to God and the Scriptures, McAfee soon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Adversity Can Lead To Success

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 18, 2016

Joseph understood that he was not the author of his success. He worked hard and obeyed the Lord. God did the rest. God’s presence with Joseph was linked to his commitment to God. Similarly, God’s presence with us is linked to our commitment to Him.

Have you ever heard the saying that “hell has no fury like a woman scorned?” Well, we have a perfect example of this in the reading we heard from Genesis 39:1-23 a few minutes ago. Even though Joseph was a slave in Egypt, he showed great faith and righteousness, and even though he was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

The Question Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 7, 2015

Jesus cries out from the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" He dies alone and forsaken so that we may never be.

Matthew 27:27-61 "The Question" INTRODUCTION We have come to the end of Holy Week. Since Palm Sunday, the tension between Jesus and both the religious and political authorities has built up. It came to a head on Thursday night when Judas betrayed Jesus, Jesus was arrested and after a fake ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 27:27-61

Denomination: Lutheran

Even In The Deserts Of Our Life, Christ Is There Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 3, 2021

As weak and sinful as I am, He gives me the grace to serve Him.

Homily for Monday of 14th week in course There is an undeniable tension in the Gospels between two divine realities. On the one hand, the Lord, always kind and merciful, reveals Himself through signs and wonders–personal revelations like the angels on Jacob’s ladder, raising little girls from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26, Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 90:13

Denomination: Catholic

Concubines (Https://Www.biblegateway.com/Resources/Dictionary-Of-Bible-Themes/5672-Concubines)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jul 27, 2023

surprising definition

5672 (Strong's Concordance) A woman, often a servant or slave, with whom a man had regular sexual relations, but to whom he was not married. A concubine did not have the rights of a wife and her children were not rightful heirs, though a wife might offer a servant to her husband as a concubine ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:3

Denomination: Vineyard